Audubon Society of Rhode IslandNPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94NPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94Audubon Society of Rhode IslandTue, 30 Jan 2018 01:58:17 +0000Audubon Society of Rhode Islandhttp://ripr.org
Avory BrookinsRhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo’s budget proposal for fiscal year 2019 includes a large environmental bond worth $48.5 million to fund land and water quality improvements. It's one of four ballot initiatives the governor is proposing for November 2018.RI Gov. Proposes $48.5M Environmental Bondhttp://ripr.org/post/ri-gov-proposes-485m-environmental-bond
93460 as http://ripr.orgThu, 25 Jan 2018 16:16:08 +0000RI Gov. Proposes $48.5M Environmental BondAvory BrookinsBirders may catch a glimpse of more snowy owls this winter, as more than a dozen have already been spotted throughout Rhode Island since Thanksgiving. Typically, only a few snowy owls are seen throughout the state this time of year.Snowy Owl Sightings Up In RIhttp://ripr.org/post/snowy-owl-sightings-ri
91517 as http://ripr.orgMon, 11 Dec 2017 05:53:54 +0000Snowy Owl Sightings Up In RIAvory BrookinsRavens have historically been depicted in popular culture as creepy and supernatural, from the poetry of Edgar Allan Poe to – more recently – the popular TV series, Game of Thrones.Ravens Are Surprisingly Intelligent Birds, So Why The Spooky Reputation?http://ripr.org/post/ravens-are-surprisingly-intelligent-birds-so-why-spooky-reputation
89621 as http://ripr.orgFri, 27 Oct 2017 04:41:53 +0000Ravens Are Surprisingly Intelligent Birds, So Why The Spooky Reputation?Avory BrookinsAs my tour guide, Bill Eccleston, and I walked through the dirt, twigs and puddles of the George Washington Wildlife Management Area in Burrillville, we heard a bird call above us.Land Conservationists Worry Power Plant Will Fragment Forest, Harm Specieshttp://ripr.org/post/land-conservationists-worry-power-plant-will-fragment-forest-harm-species
88407 as http://ripr.orgThu, 28 Sep 2017 15:14:20 +0000Land Conservationists Worry Power Plant Will Fragment Forest, Harm SpeciesAvory BrookinsA recent report from Audubon Society of Rhode Island, a wildlife conservation organization, recorded the highest number of osprey fledglings throughout the state since monitoring of the species began in 1977.RI Audubon Society Records Nearly 300 Young Ospreys; Largest Number In 40 Yearshttp://ripr.org/post/ri-audubon-society-records-nearly-300-young-ospreys-largest-number-40-years
85535 as http://ripr.orgThu, 20 Jul 2017 03:54:10 +0000RI Audubon Society Records Nearly 300 Young Ospreys; Largest Number In 40 YearsAmbar EspinozaNature enthusiasts around the state are monitoring butterflies for an annual survey taking place across North America. Many factors, including climate change and pesticides, are affecting butterflies, hindering their ability to successfully breed and develop.Keeping Track Of Butterflieshttp://ripr.org/post/keeping-track-butterflies
69537 as http://ripr.orgSun, 03 Jul 2016 13:48:35 +0000Keeping Track Of ButterfliesAmbar EspinozaFour peregrine falcons hatched earlier this spring on top of the Superman Building in downtown Providence. Volunteers have now banded the birds so that biologists can keep track of them.Up Close On Banding Day At The Superman Building http://ripr.org/post/close-banding-day-superman-building
68144 as http://ripr.orgWed, 01 Jun 2016 11:40:29 +0000Up Close On Banding Day At The Superman Building Ambar EspinozaThe iconic Superman Building may be vacant, but it has no trouble attracting peregrine falcons. The skyscraper’s current residents welcomed four chicks this week.Four Peregrine Chicks Hatch Atop Superman Buildinghttp://ripr.org/post/four-peregrine-chicks-hatch-atop-superman-building
67039 as http://ripr.orgThu, 05 May 2016 13:49:11 +0000Four Peregrine Chicks Hatch Atop Superman BuildingStefania GomezWildlife, climate change and safe drinking water are on the agenda this weekend at the state’s largest annual environmental summit. Meg Kerr, the director of policy at the Audubon Society of Rhode Island, is one of the organizers of the Land and Water Conservation Summit . The summit is expected to draw more than 300 people representing land trusts, watershed organizations and conservation commissions. “When we first started the summit the cross pollination between those groups was limited," said Kerr. "And we’ve really increased the conversations among grassroots organizations and sharing [ideas] amongst them.” Kerr said the daylong conference is an opportunity to exchange ideas about how to protect the state’s most vulnerable resources. “Probably the biggest land and water issue that Rhode Island faces is the issue of climate change and what’s it’s doing to impact our water supplies, and changing habitats and impact on birds,” she said. The summit will feature guest speakers andEnvironmentalists Gather For Annual Meetinghttp://ripr.org/post/environmentalists-gather-annual-meeting
64952 as http://ripr.orgSat, 19 Mar 2016 15:47:25 +0000Environmentalists Gather For Annual MeetingKatherine DohertyAs spring weather returns to the Rhode Island area, so will the growing population of osprey, a type of coastal bird. The Audubon Society of Rhode Island reports the number of osprey spotted nesting in Rhode Island has risen sharply over the last couple of years. The population has been monitored since the 1970s, when the fish-eating birds nearly disappeared from Rhode Island’s coastline. Jonathan Scoones at the Audubon Society called the recovery of the osprey population an environmental success story. “The shallow water habitats where they frequent are obviously becoming much cleaner as they are chasing the fish up into more areas, and becoming more plentiful," said Scoones. "So the habitats are able to support the increased number of osprey that are now living in these shallow-water habitats." This spring local volunteers and scientists will continue to track the osprey population in Rhode Island.RI Osprey Population Continues To Flourishhttp://ripr.org/post/ri-osprey-population-continues-flourish
64175 as http://ripr.orgWed, 02 Mar 2016 20:31:16 +0000RI Osprey Population Continues To FlourishAmbar EspinozaOne of the most respected environmental leaders in the state is retiring. For more than 30 years, Eugenia Marks was never shy about sharing her views with political leaders about the need to protect the environment. She's the senior policy director at the Audubon Society of Rhode Island, and she's about to step down.Retirement Won't Slow Down Longtime Environmental Advocatehttp://ripr.org/post/retirement-wont-slow-down-longtime-environmental-advocate
59365 as http://ripr.orgThu, 12 Nov 2015 12:38:21 +0000Retirement Won't Slow Down Longtime Environmental AdvocateAmbar EspinozaPhotographer Peter Green enjoys bird watching around Rhode Island. But his favorite spot is downtown Providence. Most people are too busy to notice birds of prey circling this urban setting. But Green has become something of an expert.The Urban Bird World Inspires Local Photographerhttp://ripr.org/post/urban-bird-world-inspires-local-photographer
58057 as http://ripr.orgThu, 15 Oct 2015 10:21:46 +0000The Urban Bird World Inspires Local PhotographerAmbar EspinozaIn Bristol this weekend, live owls, hawks, and other birds of prey will take center stage at the Audubon Society’s Environmental Education Center. The annual event Raptor Weekend will also feature photographs by a local bird photographer.Raptors Take Center Stage In Bristol At Annual Eventhttp://ripr.org/post/raptors-take-center-stage-bristol-annual-event
56484 as http://ripr.orgFri, 11 Sep 2015 21:30:05 +0000Raptors Take Center Stage In Bristol At Annual EventDan SheaOn Thursday morning three peregrine falcon chicks were banded atop the Bank of America building in downtown Providence. Jeff Hall, senior director of advancement at the Audubon Society of Rhode Island ( ASRI ), was there to assist. He said falcons have been nesting at the Superman Building for 15 years now, making this a yearly spring ritual. Hall said chicks are banded at 21-days-old, when their legs are fully grown. “Banding is very important, because it tells us how big the population is and if it’s decreasing or increasing, which are important things to know,” said Hall. “That’s how they [biologists] know if they’re threatened or endangered.” The band acts as a bird's identification, providing information such as the bird’s gender and place of birth. That’s how biologists know that the female peregrine falcon, born in Lowell, Massachusetts, took over the nesting box last year and has a new partner this year. “This male, though, was born in Providence at that nest four years ago,Three Peregrine Falcon Chicks Banded & Reunited http://ripr.org/post/three-peregrine-falcon-chicks-banded-reunited
51552 as http://ripr.orgThu, 28 May 2015 20:16:01 +0000Ambar EspinozaThe Audubon Society of Rhode Island is leading free daily birds walks this month , during the height of spring migration, all over the state from North Smithfield to Coventry to South Kingstown. At this time of year, male birds are sporting bright colored plumage to attract mates. Jeffrey Hall, the organization’s senior director of advancement, points out that trees aren’t lush with leaves yet. “This is the easily identifiable time for these birds,” said Hall. “The other thing is that they're calling. So you may go outside and hear a particular bird call that you think is unusual. And it could very well be that it's a migrating bird coming through and you happen to have it in your yard.” Hall said people are spotting all sorts of birds: cuckoos, indigo buntings, whip-poor-wills, and warblers. On a recent guided walk in Rome Point in North Kingstown, people counted 30 bird species. Hall said ‘tis the season for bugs, too. “That's what drives the birds out,” said Hall. “Warblers areFree Bird Walks Underway With RI's Audubon Societyhttp://ripr.org/post/free-bird-walks-underway-ris-audubon-society
50886 as http://ripr.orgFri, 15 May 2015 09:00:00 +0000Free Bird Walks Underway With RI's Audubon SocietyAmbar EspinozaThe female falcon that nested atop the Superman building last year is back this spring. T he falcon laid her first egg less than a week ago, according to Jeff Hall, senior director of advancement for the Audubon Society of Rhode Island. Through the organization’s Peregrine webcam, bird enthusiasts are observing the falcon and her male partner taking turns at the nest. Hall said the falcon will sit on her eggs constantly until all her eggs are laid. “So all the eggs will then mature, if you would, at the same time,” said Hall. “so they’ll all hatch around the same time.” Hall said falcons lay up to four eggs, typically one to two days apart. The birds will likely hatch in late April or early May. Hall said there are more signs of spring. Ospreys have been spotted at their nests and piping plovers along the state’s south shore. He said we’ll start to see more migration in May. “So if we get a big storm coming from the south, some of the birds will ride those winds to make it a little bitFalcons Nesting In Providence, And More Signs Of Springhttp://ripr.org/post/falcons-nesting-providence-and-more-signs-spring
48988 as http://ripr.orgSun, 05 Apr 2015 11:00:00 +0000Falcons Nesting In Providence, And More Signs Of SpringAmbar EspinozaBald eagles aren’t the only bird of prey thriving in Rhode Island. Ospreys are also making a comeback. The population of ospreys substantially declined from the use of the pesticide DDT after World War II. Rhode Island initiated an osprey monitoring program in 1977 to document the fish-eating raptor’s recovery and breeding success. Eric Walsh, who coordinates that program for the Audubon Society of Rhode Island, said t he latest osprey monitoring report shows last year a total of 186 young ospreys successfully fledged, or developed feather and wing muscles for flight, compared to seven in 1977. “Their ability to recruit and produce fledglings in any given year is certainly tied to fish stocks,” said Walsh. “I don’t know if it’s a one to one relationship, but there is definitely a relationship between fish stocks and the reproductive health of the [osprey] population.” Walsh said manmade breeding platforms along coastal areas built by volunteers have also helped ospreys thrive in theRhode Island Continues To Make Gains In Osprey Populationhttp://ripr.org/post/rhode-island-continues-make-gains-osprey-population
47131 as http://ripr.orgThu, 26 Feb 2015 12:59:31 +0000Rhode Island Continues To Make Gains In Osprey PopulationAmbar EspinozaBirders are spotting bald eagles in Rhode Island in greater numbers than ever before. As Rhode Island Public Radio’s environmental reporter Ambar Espinoza reports, this is a sign the bird of prey is rebounding in much of its former geographic range, which includes New England. New England historically had very high breeding populations of the bald eagle, particularly in Maine. Juvenile eagles and adults frequently came to Rhode Island during the non-breeding season to winter here or look for their own habitats. Ornithologist Charles Clarkson, who coordinates the Rhode Island Breeding Bird Atlas, said the Ocean State is starting to see more transient bald eagles. “They are actually coming to the coast because this is a region that has still an abundance of prey resources during the winter months because most of the bodies of water don't freeze over,” said Clarkson. Clarkson said federal acts to protect habitats and endangered species, as well as captive breeding programs, have helped toBald Eagle Population Resurging In Rhode Islandhttp://ripr.org/post/bald-eagle-population-resurging-rhode-island
46400 as http://ripr.orgWed, 11 Feb 2015 10:45:00 +0000Bald Eagle Population Resurging In Rhode IslandMolly MalinowskiOver the weekend, two of the falcons born atop the Superman building in May crashed into a building downtown while they were swooping, or practicing hunting. The Born to Be Wild Nature Center is rehabilitating the falcon that survived the crash. Jeff Hall from the Audubon Society of Rhode Island is hopeful the injured juvenile falcon will make a full recovery. “This is the same thing that happened to two of the Pawtucket falcons,” said Hall. “They flew into a building and luckily both of those were released last weekend as well. Sort of a good story, bad story on the same weekend.” Hall said juvenile falcons swoop to practice hunting on their own. "Peregrine falcons hunt by dive bombing their prey, knocking it unconscious with their balled talons (feet) and then catch the falling prey out of the air before it hits the ground," said Hall. The rehabilitation center will release the young falcon back where it was found in Providence once he has fully recovered.Peregrine Juvenile Falcons Recover From Hunting Crasheshttp://ripr.org/post/peregrine-juvenile-falcons-recover-hunting-crashes
36149 as http://ripr.orgWed, 02 Jul 2014 21:01:43 +0000Peregrine Juvenile Falcons Recover From Hunting CrashesCatherine WelchThree baby peregrine falcons born atop Providence’s Superman building are now banded for tracking. There were four eggs, but only three chicks survived, all boys. And now they have bands on their legs that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will keep a record of. The Audubon Society of Rhode Island’s Jeff Hall said the banding took about a half hour, and the process started when licensed bander Joe Zbyrowski climbed a ladder to reach the chicks nesting in a special box. “And there’s a trap door in the back. And the door comes back, Joe reaches in grabs the birds, we put them in a basket, lower them down, band them, put them back up in the nest,” said Hall. “All while trying to dodge the mom and dad who are dive bombing us consistently.” Hall said he expects the chicks to hop out on the ledge of the Superman building and fly away in about three weeks. The Audubon Society has a Peregrine webcam where you can watch the chicks in action.Three Peregrine Falcon Chicks Hatched & Bandedhttp://ripr.org/post/three-peregrine-falcon-chicks-hatched-banded
34225 as http://ripr.orgTue, 27 May 2014 18:52:28 +0000